Monday, March 01, 2010

A few weeks ago I posted about the enormous influence the internet is having on the Charedi community. But what about its influence on the modern Orthodox community?

The NY Jewish Weekis reporting that the Rabbinical Council of America, the largest Orthodox rabbinical group in the US, may consider kicking out Rabbi Avi Weiss for ordaining a woman and giving her the title of "Rabba" (discussed on this blog here).

According to one source in Rabbi Weiss’ yeshivas, the ordaining of Rabba Hurwitz (first as something called “maharat,” then more explicitly as “rabba”) has created a situation in which “we are being absolutely killed on the Internet,” in Orthodox blogs. “Where are the moderate and moderating voices in the Orthodox community?” the source asked.

Interesting that the discussion on the blogs (by a few thousand individuals) is clearly being felt in the real Orthodox world and is considered a central, influential forum.